A walk in Teesdale, County Durham

Grassholme reservoir north side, Harter fell, Middleton in Teesdale, a section of the Railway walk & return via reservoir south side. 9miles 1600ft

Setting off from the western end of Grassholme reservoir in the early morning

Looking east down the reservoir

There was a bridge next to where I was parked which I would use on the return leg

Looking down the length of the reservoir again....

....before starting the gentle climb to Harter fell following the Pennine Way path

 

Looking back south over the reservoir to the Northern Dales

Harter fell summit trig point 1578ft

Following the ridge to the east I passed this Bronze age Tumulus mound (burial ground) now covered with trees....

....before descending to the town of Middleton in Teesdale....

....crossing the river Tees on the way

Middleton's main street....

....where I sat for a mid morning coffee. It's a lovely little town with lots of interest and some great walking in the area.... 

....including this railway walk....

.....which I followed....

....and continued along...

....noticing an abundance of Red Admiral butterflies. 

It wasn't too long before I arrived at the river Lune viaduct (not the Lancashire Lune)

Looking down off the viaduct to the road and river

Following field paths back west I passed the visitor centre on the side of the reservoir which seemed to be primarily a fishing tackle shop! There were plenty of anglers out trying their luck!

I continued along an attractive path by the reservoir....  

......on the way to the bridge leading back to the car.

Some years ago I walked the Pennine Way and it's now always a pleasure to revisit the many and varied sections which I enjoyed at the time. Today was no exception despite only a snap shot of the whole  Pennine Way

 Two walks for the price of one!

Walk 1

High Dam from Newby Bridge via Lakeside 5miles 750ft

Parking and setting from the weir on the river Leven at Newby Bridge

Passing the marina as I walked towards Lakeside

....and continued through meadows....

....and back to the riverside

Arriving at Lakeside where the steam railway terminates

Looking north up Windermere....

....and east to Gummers How fell....leaving lakeside I started the short climb to High Dam.....

....passing through Finsthwaite village on the way....

....and climbing up through the woods

.....to High Dam tarn

....where the lillies

....were just starting to bloom....

....and again

Leaving the tarn I returned to....

Newby Bridge.

Walk 2 

South Walney Nature Reserve, 3miles

I parked at the visitor centre which hadn't opened and set off round the reserve with a view across to 

Piel island....not a bird or a seal in sight 

I crossed to the marsh hide but still nothing to be seen....

.....except a rather interesting insect on the Viper's Bulgloss plant... any suggestions for the insect species would be very welcome!

I then walked south to the lighthouse and....

....and the shoreline hide....still nothing to be seen

....where are the 500 seals I was supposed to be able to see? At this point I decided to give up and walk back to the visitor centre! 

I enquired at the centre and apparently I should have come before mid May!!!!

I did actually see 2 Sand Martins and a few Oyster Catchers but they didn't seem to want their photos taken and flew off! 

Not quite what I expected today but nevertheless a very enjoyable outing.

 Kentmere Round Part 2

Sadgill, Shipman Knotts, Goat Scar, Kentmere Pike & Harter Fell 

Return to Sadgill via Gatesgarth Pass 9miles 2400ft

Setting off from the hamlet of Sadgill at the head of Longsleddale

Climbing out of Longsleddale to the Eastern ridge of the Kentmere Round walk

Arriving at Shipman Knotts (1926ft) the first of today's summits with a view down Longsleddale....

....and to Lake Windermere in the distance

Continuing along the ridge looking over the Kentmere valley to the Western fells of the Kentmere Round walk

To the East were the hazy summits and ridges of the Shap fells....

....and below me the upper reaches of Longsleddale

Arriving at Goat Scar summit 2054ft with Buckbarrow Crag across the valley

Looking up Gatesgarth pass, which would be my route down later in the day

The trig point on Kentmere Pike 2395ft

The fells of Ill Bell & Froswick across the Kentmere valley

Looking down to Nan Bield pass between Kentmere & Haweswater

Arriving at Harter fell summit from where there are some of my favourite views in Lakeland (2552ft) 

Including High Street & Blea Water

Zooming in on Blea Water

Haweswater....

.....& Mardale Head car park directly below

Leaving the summit on the path to Gatesgarth pass...

....between Mardale Head & Sadgill

Stopping for lunch by the river Sprint with Goat Scar above where I'd been earlier

Looking back up the pass

Finally arriving back at the parking area at Sadgill bridge.

This had been a fabulous day's walk, one of my favourites in all lakeland, but more importantly my 'gammy leg' had passed a fairly stiff test!!!